Ocala high school coach accused of having sexual relations with a student
OCALA, Fla. - An assistant coach at West Port High School in Ocala is in custody, accused of having sexual relations with a student.
What we know:
Ocala Police arrested 43-year-old James Ford III on Friday after they say the victim told a school resource officer that the two had started a relationship in January 2024.

Courtesy: Ocala Police Department.
Detectives say the two started texting before they began meeting outside of school in August. The student said they kissed in the school locker room and had a sexual encounter in Ford's vehicle in September.
READ: Suspect accused of stabbing, killing man in St. Pete, hours after argument: SPPD
The student was 16 at the time of that encounter.
Charges
- Unlawful sexual activity with certain minors
- Offenses against students by authority figures
- Travel to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity
- Use of two-way communication device to facility felony
What's next:
Ocala police say that anyone who may have experienced similar behavior should contact authorities.
The Source: Information for this story came from the Ocala Police Department.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
- Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
- Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
- Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
- Download the SkyTower Radar app
- Sign up for FOX 13’s daily newsletter